Premier of Nevis Hon. Vance Amory
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS – Outrage around the nation and overseas over a statement of violence by Premier of Nevis, Hon. Vance Amory, against the Federation’s visionary and charismatic leader, the Rt Hon Dr Denzil L Douglas.
Scores of persons have been venting their outrage over Amory’s remarks at a Town Hall Meeting held by the Team Unity Government in East Basseterre on Monday night.
Addressing a room, with mostly supporters from the Prime Minister Constituency #7, Amory, who is the only Nevisian leader to take the Secession Clause to a referendum and who opposed the establishment of a Federal Office in Nevis dishonestly blamed Dr. Douglas of dividing the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Premier Vance Amory who is also the Federal Minister of Ecclesiastical Affairs said: “We have to hang the blame for that around Douglas neck like a millstone and fling him out into the middle of the ocean – I am not saying to drown him but if he drowns, that is not my problem.”
“He (Amory) has been the Premier of Nevis for 18 years and counting and has no record of performance. No hotel or any other major business/project that was brought to Nevis under his watch. Where is your trophy for Performance Mr Amory?” asked Gealta Langley, who noted that Premier Amory had protested against the opening of a Federal Office in Nevis by Dr Denzil Douglas in his capacity as Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis.
“He (Amory) invoked the 113 clause of the Constitution to secede from St. Kitts when Dr Douglas was PM. He has aligned himself to the Most Divisive Leader (Dr Timothy Harris) in our Federation. A Leader that conspired and betrayed the Labour Party and the people’s trust. He sits in a cabinet that has no respect for the constitution. The Public Accounts Committee which is mandated by Law to monitor the spending and use of Taxpayers’ money. How much money has been passed over to Nevis?” she asked.
Langley also raised another issue in the public fora of Premier Amory and his Deputy Premier, Mark Brantley collecting two salaries each month and other perks for regular working hours.
“He is hardly on the island of Nevis. He is hardly in St. Kitts either. He spends most of his time in the air…Vance- Air. Is out of touch,” said Langley, who noted that a businessman was murdered in Nevis and a young man shot to death in St. Kitts the same day he made these comments.
“There is an increase of criminal activities on both islands and no words of condemnation or sympathies for families expressed,” said Langley, who pointed out that Amory “despises Dr. Denzil L. Douglas who is a competent and principled leader, who adheres to the rule of law and the constitution of the land and who follows procedures and does not take short cuts and bribes.
“He (Amory) despises Dr. Denzil L Douglas because he is loved by the people of the Federation and is hailed as the most progressive and visionary leader of our time,” added Langley. Langley said jealousy is like a monster, and when the monster raises its ugly head anything can be said or done.
“Though am not disappointed or surprised by the Premier of Nevis, his rhetoric is unwarranted and speaks to the commission of violence against a political leader. Therefore, Mr Amory am calling on you to retract your statement and apologize to the Nation for the utterances and must be condemned and rebuked,” declared Langley.
“Our country, is plagued with crimes; 22 murders, multiple shootings with injuries and multiple home invasions since the start of 2016. We need no more violence!” she said. Reaction to Langley’s posting has been swift. “Very well said but get it straight. This incompetent Vance Amory has been Premier of Nevis for almost 18 years,” said Carlisle Powell.
Deli Caines wrote: “Vance Amory has been the representative for St George’s parish in Nevis for 30 years and that parish is the most underdeveloped and neglected parish in Nevis! What a legacy!!!???”